A young man stood on the brink4 of the river idly watching the ebb5 and flow of the tide.
For some time he had been strolling to and fro on the velvety6 lawn of my Lord of Surrey's house at Chelsea, as if awaiting a companion.
He was richly dressed, and the fading light glistened7 on many a jewel which bedecked his Court costume. It lit up the diamond cross of S. Iago of Toledo which he wore upon his breast, and gleamed on the diamonds which decked the pommel of the dress-sword which hung at his side.
Queen Mary was holding a Court revel8 this night at Whitehall in honour of her royal consort9, King Philip, who had that day arrived in London from Spain, to the great joy of the Queen, and Don Diego d'Olivares was apparelled for the fête.
Don Diego was a typical Hidalgo of purest Castilian blood. His well-formed features, swarthy complexion10, dark lustrous11 eyes, and glossy12 black locks proclaimed the fact.
"My father comes not," he murmured to himself. "If he delay much longer, I shall leave him to follow me to Court in Lord Surrey's company."
The light was fading off the river, the stars were becoming bright and lustrous, and the young courtier was growing impatient.
Few boats were on the river; now and then a galley13 or a wherry would dart15 by, and he noticed that the boatmen were lighting16 their torches.
He bethought him of the beautiful gardens at Whitehall, already gleaming beneath the light of hundreds of cressets. And his thoughts wandered to those whom he expected to meet there: the treasurer17 of Gray's Inn and his fair niece, Miss Susan Jefferay, the "heavenly twins," as he facetiously18 termed her two brothers William and Ralph, and many others.
For Don Diego was a legal student also—perfecting himself in the knowledge of English law at the Temple, by command of his renowned19 step-father, the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of Queen Mary.
He had met the twins at a masque at Gray's Inn, and a strong friendship had sprung up between the young men.
Thus he mused20 as he watched the passing boats on the silent waterway.
But Don Diego had not observed a dark wherry in which three men were seated, passing slowly up-stream.
He had not marked when the two oarsmen therein had thrust their boat under the shadow of the bank fifty feet higher up, nor did he see them land stealthily and creep silently into his rear as he sat on a bench on the top of the terrace.
Suddenly, and ere he could utter a cry for help, a shawl was thrown over his head, a gag was thrust into his mouth, a cord bound his arms to his side. Then he found himself lifted aloft by sturdy arms, and, despite his furious efforts, he was thrown violently into the boat, which at once pushed into the stream.
One of the oarsmen propelled the boat rapidly in the direction of London Bridge; his companions proceeded to further secure their captive with strong ropes, binding22 both hands and feet.
"That was a good haul, Bill," said one of the ruffians; "he is a fine bird, and will make good picking!"
"Stop your gab23, you fool, till we get aboard the hulk, there are too many boats about," muttered his companion savagely24.
The boat sped rapidly past Whitehall, where the lights were gleaming, and whence sounds of sweet music arose. They reached the ears of the poor prisoner as he lay at the mercy of his captors in the bottom of the boat, and they filled his heart with bitterness.
Should he ever hear those sounds again—would his eyes ever look again upon the fair scenes of earth?
Such were the thoughts that filled Don Diego's soul; he knew that he had fallen into the hands of merciless Thames pirates.
The boat was now rapidly nearing London Bridge, and the oarsmen prepared to shoot one of its narrow arches. The unfortunate captive had struggled desperately25 to loose the cords which bound his hands and feet; alas26! all his efforts were in vain—he had been too securely bound by practised hands.
Yet he found it possible, by rubbing his head against the side of the boat, to disengage the gag which had almost suffocated27 him.
Then, collecting all his strength, he shrieked28 forth29 piercing cries for "help" until his captors had sprung upon him and had replaced the gag.
But his cries were not unheard, though he knew it not!
In the afternoon of that day William and Ralph Jefferay had gone down-stream to Greenwich Park, and had strolled awhile beneath the majestic30 elms and oaks which begirt the royal palace.
As evening fell they betook themselves to their light boat, and, being dexterous31 oarsmen, they made rapid progress against the swift-flowing tide, now on the ebb.
They had no time to spare, for both the young men had accepted invitations to the Queen's Revel at Whitehall, and they must needs go first to Gray's Inn.
They passed London Bridge beneath its widest arch, the central one, and were now opposite St. Paul's Wharf32.
At this moment a piercing cry for help rent the air, and the twins instantly rested upon their oars21, and listened eagerly for a repetition of the cry. Alas! there was none; the silence of night was again upon the river.
"Oh, Ralph!" said William, "that was a genuine cry for aid; it came from some poor creature in deadly peril33. Oh! what can we do?"
"We will respond to it, by the help of God," replied Ralph; "it came, surely, from that dark wherry which I see yonder preparing to shoot the bridge."
"I thought so also," said William, "and methought I recognized the voice of him who called for help; it rang into my very soul, and, if I err14 not, it was the voice of our friend Diego!"
"To the rescue! to the rescue!" cried Ralph in reply, and in an instant they had turned their boat down-stream and were following the suspicious wherry.
Their light boat soon brought the heavier wherry into full view. They could see that there were three men on board of her; two were rowing, the third held the tiller.
"What are our plans, William?" said Ralph; "do you take the lead, and I will second you promptly34."
"Agreed," replied his brother. "I propose, then, that we follow that wherry whithersoever it goes. If those men have a captive on board, they will soon seek to lodge35 him in durance—that will be our moment of attack.
"For the present we keep within reach of them, but sufficiently36 far off to disarm37 their suspicions.
"Leave the boat to me, I will row, and do you keep a vigilant38 eye on their movements. Loosen your poignard in its sheath—I will do the same—for this matter will not be decided39 without bloodshed, and may God defend the right!"
"Amen," said Ralph solemnly, yet with a distinct sound of joyous40 exultation41 in his voice.
No fear, no misgiving42, found place in their brave young souls!
On the contrary, they rejoiced in the thought and belief that this was a call from Heaven, that they were God's ministers in carrying out a work of mercy and justice! A minute later both boats shot beneath London Bridge at a furious pace, the temporarily imprisoned43 tide hurling44 them on its strong bosom45 down-stream.
"They are making for the Surrey side," said Ralph; "it strikes me that they are going aboard one of those wretched hulks which line the shore; if so, what then?"
"I think you are right," replied his brother; "they would not dare to land their victim on shore, where they would at once encounter the watchmen. If these men are Thames pirates, as I strongly suspect, then these dark black hulks are their fitting and foul46 nests.
"Now, brother, take good heed47, I beseech48 you—this is my plan. Presently the wherry will run alongside a hulk, and one man will leave the boat, mount the hulk, and proceed to make ready to disembark the captive. This is our moment to attack! We run in swiftly between the wherry and the hulk—so detaching them. Then we leap into the wherry, and our poignards must do the rest. It matters not what becomes of our little boat, a rescued life is worth a hundred such things."
"Right," said Ralph, "I understand; now put a good way on the boat, for, if I mistake not, they are running alongside a hulk."
Ralph was correct in his forecast; a moment later the wherry was alongside of a dark object, upon which one of the oarsmen sprung lightly with a rope in his hand. Then, with a loud crash, the light boat ran swiftly in between the two; and, above all, rang the fierce shouts and curses of the pirates.
But as they rose in their wherry the twins leapt into it—giving it a strong impulse into the stream.
There was no light on the hulk until the one man left upon it had lit a torch by whose lurid49 flame he sought to discover what had happened to his comrades.
So the fierce fight began in darkness, save for the gleam of the twinkling stars.
From their first onset50 the brothers perceived that their suspicions had been correct, for a bound man lay in the bottom of the boat, motionless and silent.
The surprise to the pirates had been complete, yet they had time to draw their long knives, with which they struck desperately at their foes51.
It was a deadly struggle—there was no thought of asking or giving quarter; it was a matter of death or victory! Fierce blows were exchanged and parried; then the combatants closed, and the wherry swayed to and fro with a violence that threatened to submerge its occupants beneath the dark waters of the river.
The first gleam of light from the torch on the hulk fell upon a scene of fiercest strife53—upon men in deadly grip, equally expert with their weapons, equally matched in strength and courage.
All were wounded, and the fast flowing blood rendered the planks54 of the wherry a slippery foot-hold.
Suddenly William's foe52 lost his balance; in an instant he was hurled55 overboard, and sank beneath the waters. His comrade perceived this, and with a howl of rage he also flung himself into the stream—for he was desperately wounded, and, as William approached to his brothers aid, he knew that the end had come.
Then the brothers turned eagerly to each other, and the question arose from both alike—
"Brother, are you hurt?"
"Not much, I think," said William.
"Mere56 flesh wounds," said Ralph almost gaily57.
Then the twins joined hands and kissed each other on the cheek.
"Let us kneel down and thank God!" whispered William.
So they knelt side by side like two Christian58 warriors59!
Presently they rose, and now they turned their attention to the captive in the boat, who had ofttime been trampled60 under foot in the strife.
"He is gagged," said William; "I will unloose him."
For a few moments the rescued man was well-nigh unconscious through the pain and suffering he had undergone. Then the well-known voices of his friends the twins fell upon his ears like heavenly music, and he spake.
"Brothers," he said, "will you cut my bonds?"
"By Heaven!" cried William, "it is Diego. Oh, thank God!"
Then they cut his bonds, and the young Spaniard rose with great difficulty, so benumbed were his limbs.
"Oh! my brothers," he cried, seizing their hands, "you have risked your lives to save mine, and Heaven has blessed your noble efforts; henceforth we are more than friends—we are brothers in heart and soul while life lasts.
"Ah! I see that you are both wounded—you have shed your blood to save my life! How shall I thank you enough? Oh, may Heaven reward you! But come, let me examine your wounds; it is my turn now to turn rescuer."
Ere Diego could carry out his intention, William sank suddenly into the bottom of the boat; he had fainted from loss of blood.
A moment later Ralph lay beside him from like cause.
"Oh, my brothers!" cried Diego in agonizing61 tones, "you will die before I can find succour for you; my poor life were not worth so great a sacrifice!"
His first thought was to seize the oars and strive to reach Greenwich—the lights of the town were now plainly visible.
Or he would strive to stanch62 their gaping63 wounds, and leave the boat to be borne forward by the rapid tide. While he thus hesitated, a sudden light appeared on the surface of the river, and his ears caught the welcome sound of the oars of a practised crew.
It was a Queen's guardship, and as it rapidly neared the wherry Don Diego uttered a loud shout for help. His appeal found instant and joyous response, for on board that ship were his father and Lord Surrey.
A Chelsea boatman had witnessed his capture, and had instantly given the alarm.
Yet so long a time had it taken before the guardship at Whitehall wharf could be sent in pursuit of the pirates, that its aid would have been too late, but for the Heaven-sent interposition of the twins.
The guardship rapidly drew alongside the wherry, and in a few minutes the wounded men and Diego were taken on board.
With tender care William and Ralph were carried into the little cabin, and a ship's surgeon made immediate64 examination of their injuries.
To the joy of Diego, he reported that though both the brothers were sorely lacerated, yet no desperate injury had been inflicted—they had lost much blood, and were thereby65 rendered unconscious; a few days' careful nursing was all that was required.
The guardship soon reached Whitehall, and there, litters having been procured66 for the brothers, they were forthwith conveyed to their lodgings67 in Gray's Inn.
Nor did Don Diego leave them till he had seen them safely consigned68 to the care of Miss Susan Jefferay, who had lately come to town from Chiddingly Place on a visit to her uncle, Sir John.
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1
tinging
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的现在分词 ) | |
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swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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13
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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err
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| vi.犯错误，出差错 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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16
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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18
facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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21
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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gab
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| v.空谈，唠叨，瞎扯；n.饶舌，多嘴，爱说话 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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27
suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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40
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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41
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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42
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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43
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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45
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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46
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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47
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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48
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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49
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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50
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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51
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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52
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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53
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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54
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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55
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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56
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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57
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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58
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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60
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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61
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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62
stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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63
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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64
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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65
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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66
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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68
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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